Currently own a 2005 Honda Accord EX (4cy) and looking to sell it and purchase a TL. The issue is whether to go with a brand new 2008, automatic, no nav for about $32,000 or look for a 2007 used one with 3,000-6,000 miles on it? Looked at a certified 2006 with low miles, but the improvements made in 2007 seem to be worth it and go with with a 2007 or 2008.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

 

lawnboy- welcome to the forums. Are you in immediate need of getting rid of the Accord? It's a pretty safe bet that there will be some smoking incentives on the 08's in the not so distant future.

 

THere probably are few 07s left, and whatever is left, you may not like the color combo. I believe there are now more TLs with navi than w/o, so your choices are even more limited.

 

get nav for the resale value alone, more and more cars are getting nav and its something people are going to wanting when they buy used cars in 3-4 years

 

um If I were you I would go and check out the 07 and see if they have the color combo that you want. If not then you have no choice but to go with the 08. Oh and just a word of advice.........get the Navi. You will regret it if you dont, amost everyone does. Oh and as far as the color is concerned just so you know WDP and KBP are the over all best colors. There are alot of biased people on this website and are in love with NBP. Well they forget to mention that it only looks good when clean and its clean 5% of the time, right after a car wash. And the swirl marks looks nasty on a NBP. Trust me i have a KBP and I think its one of the best colors you can get. Ask to see KBP under the sun and you will see what im talking about. During the day its candy paint SHINES blue so bright. As the sun goes down it changes between blue and purple depending on the light. Aight well good luck man i put in my two cents.

 

'09?

 

Actually just starting to look so no real rush...any thoughts and your reasoning on some "smoking? incentives?

 

Well, only problem is I cannot stand nav in a car and in my case, will NEVER use it.

 

Not quite familiar with all the ones you are referring to as of yet; what is WDP and KBP? What is NBP?

 

Thought I saw somewhere that it depreciates like 75% and unless you need, pass on it.

 

those are colors:
WHite diamond Pearl
NightHawk Black Pearl
Kenetic Blue Pearl (type S only)

I would get the nav, even though you won't use it, it adds alot to the car and as well, as alot of room for expansion, like adding a DVD player to it, Ipod video, etc. and it also comes with the voice commands and solar AC. I don't use my nav, but it is worth it. If you search, alot of people end up banging their heads against the wall wishing they had a nav. Its a good investment and you do get your money back in the end when you trade it in.

 

Thanks for the info; kind of unclear how the nav is a good investment when it seems to depreciate 75%?

I can see it on the Type S, but really unsure on the base.

 

One other thing about the Nav that I would consider to be useful is the backup camera. In the world of used vehicles, you would have (conveivably) an easier time getting rid of your vehicle if it had a Nav.
As far as good deals- for a short while a few months ago, Acura had a $2500 incentive on the 07 TL. So, if you got an 07 base / no Navi at invoice less the $2500 rebate you were sitting pretty. Will they bring back the incentive when the 4GTL comes out or offer even more $$?? Who knows. But if I were a betting man, the answer would be yes.

 

Very true, but from what I have seen I am definitely not considering the 2009 as they will definitely be moving the TL upmarket which will also be reflected in the cost of the car. Any idea what point in the model year of the 07 they started the $2,500 incentive? The other thing is I know the guy at the local Acura dealership and can go in there tomorrow and get the 2008 TL at invoice or slightly below.

 

If you can afford the 08 TL base, which is about 32.5k at invoice, you should get that from your local guy if he agrees to sell at invoice, which is an excellent price at this time. Alternatively, you may want to save $$$ by getting an 08 EX-V6-L Accord that is invoiced at about 27k. If you can swing 30k, you can get a loaded top of the line 08 Accord with ALL the goodies.

 

Hi kenny5,

Funny you should mention the idea of going with a 2008 EX-V6-L Accord. I test drove it back to back with the TL and unfortunately, the 2008 EX-V6-L Accord still feels like my 2005 Accord, which is why I want to get rid of it

After driving the TL, there is no comparison. As much as I wanted to give the 2008 EX-V6-L Accord a chance, it just feels too heavy and bulky. On a personal opinion note, I don't like what they did to the interior, but the exterior on the coupe is a vast improvement.

Something tells me the 2008 EX-V6-L Accord is sneak peak of where the 2009 TL "might" be going, but the price will definitely be going up.

I agree with you on getting a 2008 TL at invoice is a good deal.

 

I have seen some of the Navi systems with an aftermarket add-on that allowed them to watch movies on the navi screen while you are driving. Other than that, I wouldn't use it either.

If it were me, I would get an '07 Navi 6MT with a few thousand miles on it.

 

You don't NEED a Navi, but it is definitely a good thing to have.

I had a Garmin aftermarket unit for my Accord. It was great, but it was never in the car when I wanted it. The navi in the TL is always on and ready when you need it. Even when I kinda know where I am going, I like using the Navi because it tells me how far to my turn, so I am never worrying that I missed the exit.

It is also great for finding restaurants near where I work.

Your choice, but the Navi was one of the main reasons I traded up to the TL.

 

Looking for a 07 TL, but so far haven't managed to find one with low miles. Also, I would only buy a 07 if it was certified, and at that point, the price difference doesn't seem to really be worth it when I can get a 2008 for about $32,000.

 

Looked at the nav again yesterday and definitely not going to go with it. If I were to spend $2,000 on something like that for which I have no interest, I would go with the BMW 328 first.

 

Look on eBay and see the difference between navi and non navi prices. You'll be sorry in a couple of years if you don't get navi.

 

The thing is by adding the nav, it raises the price $2,500 and really takes the value out of the car in my opinion and at that point I would go with a BMW. I looked on cars.com and really couldn't compare one with the nav to one without given the mileage differences, but recall somewhere that the nav depreciates 75%.

I just cannot see buying something I have no interest in or plan on using, simply for when it comes to selling the vehicle down the road when it may only make $1,000 difference if that. In addition, since the car really doesn't have many options, from what I have seen, mileage really makes the biggest difference in the resale value.

 

I too read somewhere (possibly the article at the link below) that the ~$2k you pay for nav doesn't hold value. My '08 TL (which was roughly $32.1k for your reference) doesn't have nav. I do not regret buying a TL without it.

I know that if I wanted nav, I could simply go to best buy and get it for 1/3 the cost. Although, then I'd have to worry about hiding it every time I got out of my car for fear of theft. Perhaps if they got rid of the stupid tape deck as part of the nav option, I'd go for it -- does anyone listen to tapes anymore!?

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/...systems_g.html

 

Lawnboy, the analysis is simple since it is all economics, not functionality nor convenience. If money is tight for you, don't get the OEM nav now, and if and when you need one, buy a portable unit for much less $$. I personally like the OEM navi, especially the one in the TL, because it is one of the best OEM units out there. You can research my statement.

Buying a car is not a good investment, as almost all cars depreciate (except for vintage cars that are collectibles). Same with buying a navi, computer or other gadgets. Technology obsolesces quickly, and what you pay for today will be worth much less in a few years.

To me, a navi is a very helpful tool when traveling to unfamiliar places, particularly in the evening when you cannot see street signs in rural areas without street lights. The TL navi has helped me from getting lost many times. Now, I don't even carry maps in my glove box. In the near future, probably 6-7 years, the navi may become a standard equipment in all cars, just like the ABS and airbags that were optional equipment and were only available in top of the line cars 15-20 years ago.

 

Glad to hear that I am not the only one who thinks that way.

And yes, your link provides the following:

"Since built in or in dash navigation systems can decrease the value of a vehicle automakers are thinking of ways to offer the portable units to their buyers. (The new Land Rover LR2 will hold 55% of its value after 3 years, the LR2 with navigation is only going to be worth 52%). According to USA Today a unit that costs $2,000 when the car is new will only add about $600 to the value of a car after three years.

The main reasons for the increased depreciation are that used car buyers are always looking for a bargain, not necessarily technology. Also technology is always changing, so a three-year old navigation system will most likely be obsolete. "

So did $32.1k includes taxes, tags, and all (final price out the door)?

 

You nailed with highlighting it is a depreciating asset. In my opinion, it has nothing to do with money being tight as I was going to go with the BMW 328, but more about value. Once the $2500 option of a nav is added, the value really starts to turning for paying that kind of money for an Acura TL. Personally, instead of getting the TL with nav I would then go with the BMW 328 at that point.

Think I saw it on ConsumerGuide.com where for the value in its class, they gave the TL an 8, the TL with nav a 7, and the Type S a 5.

 

Followed up on the pricing yesterday and looking at $32K even plus taxes and tags...seems like a good deal at this point.

Anyone recall at what point in the model year Acura added the $2,500 incentive for the 2007 TL?